Intentional Fireworks Explosion Leads to Adult Shop Fire
ETOBICOKE, ONTARIO CANADA — It wasn’t time for trick-or-treat, but the Cinema X Adult Video shop got pranked big time last night. According to reports in The Star, two men wearing Halloween masks entered the shop at approximately 9:00 pm and immediately began starting mischief within the strip mall establishment.
In order to soften up the room, the two first pepper-sprayed a female employee and male customer, then dropped their backpack – which just happened to be jam-packed with fireworks.
Not content to merely possess fireworks inside of an adult shop, the men then set fire to the bundle, giggling as they escaped the building and got into a waiting escape vehicle.
Firefighters responded to what ultimately became a two-alarm fire and spent approximately 30 minutes bringing it under control. Although both the injured employee and customer escaped, three apartments located on the second floor of the building were temporarily evacuated due to smoke. Two men who had been watching videos in privacy booths were able to exit the flaming building without harm.
No motive has been determined yet and one police officer on the scene is quoted as having opined that “It was either a prank or done by someone who has something against adult video stores – or someone with a grudge.”
Damage to the store is still being determined and the pepper-sprayed employee has been released from the hospital after being treated.
Anyone with possible information about the fire is encouraged to contact authorities at 416-808-2204.